Confessions of a FILM FOX

Confessions of a FILM FOX

Our first and most pressing demand: c’mon, Victoria Principal and Andy Gibb— don’t keep each other hangin’ on, as poets Vanilla Fudge (by way of Holland/Dozier/Holland) would say. Get out of each other’s life, and make a new start! One week we read you’re on, the next week you’re off...sheesh! The PR agents are rich already, so give up!

As we reported before in this space, progress on the Bobby Darin film biography On Borrowed Time, based on the book of the same name, is proceeding apace. Now open auditions are being announced for the key role of Darin, and reportedly, singers as diverse as Paul “Having My Baby” Anka, Johnny Rivers, and Burton Cummings (not Italian enough. Burton), expressed interest in the lead, but the producers—friends of the Bronx-born singer, who died of heart failure in 1973—feel an unknown would be best. Sandra Dee watchers will get to cop a rare glimpse at the 50’s/60’s teen queen in late May, when she’ll be on hand for the unveiling of Bobby Darin’s star on a Hollywood sidewalk.

Va-va-voom material Marie Osmond seems to be palling around with Vince Van Patten; tennis player and Rock ’n’ Roll High School co-star. The wholesome couple met at a recent celebrity ski match, and the rest is goo goo ga ga. Vince, of course, is a spud from the Dick Van Patten factory...

Happy Warren Beatty took home the top award from the Directors Guild of America, “Outstanding Feature Directorial Achievement,” for—what else?—Annie Hall Goes To Russia, ex. Reds. The handsome playboy quipped, upon receipt of his award: ‘Til quit doing this if you guys give me a job.” The eternally reed-like Twiggy is set to star in a stage version of Funny Face, which would hit Noo Yawk next fall.. .and who better to play the role of a model? The CREEM male editors’ pick for Hot Girl Of The Month is Debra Winger, who shook her booty in Urban Cowboy, catted around in Cannery Row and will next be seen emoting in Mike’s Murder. Whazzat, a musical? Pia Zadora to star in The Golda Meir Story?

Bass-playing Prescott Niles of the knuked Knack was General Hospita's Merri Lynn Ross’s secret Romeo for months; seems the love-struck Pres sent the soap opera cutie “gifts” to the tune of... $40,000??? Furs, etc. Bad news, poverty fans—it worked, and moneybags Prescott’s got his gal.

Frances Farmer will not only be represented in cinemas in a biographical film (starring Jessica Lange) but the tragic 40’s star will also be the subject of a TV movie starring former model Susan Blakeley.

And while chatting of models, we must note Mick Jagged s seeming fixation with the bony beauties. Could his six-year “romance” (doesn’t it become something else after six years?) with Jerry Hall be suffering from his preoccupation with brunette model Janice Dickinson? (who recently sang a few sets at Studio 54, with a song list including a few ditties written for hers truly by—su-prahze, su-prahze. Ron Wood.) The evening was videotaped, and all had a swell time...

CREEM pin-up girl Jamie Lee Curtis has lensed a pilot for ABC in which she plays an anthropologist who gets into “interesting” situations. Meanwhile, Peter Bogdanovich groused to the press that the vivacious Jamie Lee didn’t look enough like his late love Dorothy Stratten to portray the doomed Playboy centerfold in the recent NBC movie. Seems Jamie’s slim and leggy, while Dorothy was soft and curvacious.. .or something like that. Peter’s book recounting the “real story” behind the blonde actress’s tragic life should have hit the bookracks by the time you read this.

And what of Peter’s other blonde, ex-leading lady Cybill Shepherd? The former Glamour cover girl’s treading the boards in Jean Kerr’s Lunch Hour, touring the boondocks and eventually headed for NYC. Reviews for Cybill —the girl nasty old Hollywood thought couldn’t act her way out of her makeup bag—have been mixed, with most of the rap going to 50’s classic Kerr’s creaky Eisenhower-era writing:.. (It’s been a while since Mary, Mary—too long.)

M*A*S*H will be back for its 11th and final season, finally, and if that isn’t reason to break out the blanc de blancs, we throw in our Porthault dishrag.

And finally. Trapper John M.D.’s Gregory Harrison (Gonzo Gates) is yet another proposed “Jim Morrison” to throw his hat in the ring. While plans for a biopic on the late lamented Doors’ sex god seem to be on hold, at least “Gonzo” (who apparently really wants the role) bears more than a passing resemblance to Jimbo and a fair share of charisma to boot, more than we can say for the other would-be Lizard Kings..